Clean clothes catcher

ABSTRACT

An apparatus to prevent small launderables such as delicates, underwear and socks from falling to the floor when transferring between a washer and a dryer includes a framework having a flexible strip that attaches and conforms to a surface of the appliance. A pair of pivoting arms for support of a fabric mesh cover is connected the strip. The arms are extended as to stretch the mesh cover or folded back against the strip when not in use.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a support that attaches tothe exterior of a washer or dryer for the support and sorting of smallarticles of clothing such as hose, socks and underwear.

BACKGROUND

Sales of front loading washers and dryers are increasing relative toolder top loading units because they use less water with comparableloads and clean better due to their tumbling action. Whatever the typeof appliance, one problem is the sorting of small articles such as socksand underwear. Another issue is the transferring of clothing from awasher to a dryer or removing the clothes from the dryer, which oftenresults in small launderables dropping to the floor and soiling.

What is needed is a mesh support that is affixed to the front of awasher or dryer that can be folded against the unit's body or secured ina position supportive of small articles of clothing so as to preventarticles from falling to the floor when transferring articles from awasher to a dryer or when removing the articles from the dryer.

It would be desirable to provide a folding framework that removablyattaches to; and folds against a washer or dryer when not in use.

It would be further desirable to provide the foregoing framework with aremovable mesh cover that promotes air flow and supports articles in aflat aspect when sorting or air drying the articles.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates generally to a removably attachableapparatus for the support of small articles of clothing wherein portionsof the support are closely conformable to the countours of a surface towhich the support is attached. More specifically, the apparatus of thepresent invention possesses at least (1) a flexible semi-rigid stripthat is conformable to the various flat or curved surfaces prevalent incurrent front loading washers and dryers and (2) an attachment meansthat is preferably magnetic or adhesive.

In one aspect of the present invention, the attaching portion of aconformable support with pivoting arms is attachable to either a curvedsurface, a flat surface or a combination of curved and flat surfaces.

In another aspect of the present invention a removable fabric mesh coverbridges the space between pivoting arms to provide a supportive surfacefor small launderable articles.

It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that theoverall dimensions of the apparatus of the present invention can vary.The framework of the apparatus can be of any sufficiently semi-rigidmaterial to support the weight of several small articles of clothing.Preferably, the attachment means includes magnets that are inset flushinto the corformable portion of the apparatus or via adhesive (e.g.,double sided adhesive strip) between the conformable portion and thesurface to which it is attached.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figureswherein the scale depicted is approximate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment according tothe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of (FIG. 1) in apartially folded state with net covering 12 removed;

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are front plan views of the left and right sides ofthe embodiment shown in (FIGS. 1 and 2);

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are bottom plan views of the left and right sides ofthe embodiment shown in (FIGS. 1 and 2);

FIG. 3 c is a top down plan view of stop 18 b with wedge 19 b in dashedline;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment according to thepresent invention that is partially open;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment according to thepresent invention that is locked in an open position;

FIG. 6 shows a preferred embodiment in a partially folded state whenattached to a dryer front;

FIG. 7 shows the preferred embodiment of (FIG. 6) being adjusted to aposition with arms extended;

FIG. 8 shows the preferred embodiment of (FIG. 6) with arms extended andlocked into place;

FIG. 9 shows a mesh cover for placement over arms 16 a, 16 b;

FIG. 10 depicts a typical use scenario wherein the apparatus of theinvention is affixed just below the door of a washer or dryer;

FIG. 11 depicts a removal of the apparatus from a surface and indicatingthe flexibility of the conformable member 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Reference Listing

-   10 frame assembly-   12 net-   14 comformable member-   15 magnetic members-   16 a, 16 b left and right arms-   18 a, 18 b left and right stops-   19 a, 19 b left and right wedge members-   20 a, 20 b left and right hinges-   22 a, 22 b left and right hinge pins-   26 appliance surface

Definitions

Unless otherwise explained, any technical terms used herein have thesame meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the artto which this disclosure belongs. The singular terms “a”, “an”, and“the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. Similarly, the word “or” is intended to include “and” unlessthe context clearly indicates otherwise. Although methods and materialssimilar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of this disclosure, suitable methods and materialsare described below. The term “comprises” means “includes.” Allpublications, patent applications, patents, and other referencesmentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety for allpurposes. In case of conflict, the present specification, includingexplanations of terms, will control. In addition, the materials,methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to belimiting.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-11, a preferred embodiment according tothe present invention includes a framework 10 with a flexible stripdefining a conformable member 14 and a pair of pivotable arms 16 a, 16b; one arm at each end of the strip. While in the particular embodimentdepicted, the arms are hingeably connected to the flexible strip, thoseskilled in the art and having access to this disclosure will appreciateother possible hinging or pivoting means (e.g., living hinge) by whichthe framework can assume a folded or extended position. Arms 16 a, 16 bare secured in an extended position by stops 18 a, 18 b each of which islinearly actuable via sliding hinge pin 22 a, 22 b and each of whichpossesses a wedge portion 19 a, 19 b extending from the bottom of thestop which is slid into place so as to abut portions of the strip andarms and prevent the arms from collapsing. Raising the stops unlocks thearms and permits the arms to fold inwardly and against strip 14.Preferably, the flexible strip is non-rigid plastic such as polyethyleneor PVC generally no greater than 0.25 inches in thickness which issufficiently flexible to conform and sufficiently adhere to a curved orflat surface common in contemporary appliances. The ends of the stripmay be built up to accept hinges of a more rigid plastic, or the hingescan be formed from the same material as the strip and reinforced with asleeve around which the knuckles move. A removable fabric mesh cover 12is placed over the arms to provide a surface for catching, and therebypreventing dropped articles from falling to the floor. The fabric meshcover also provides a surface for air drying and sorting small articlesof clothing if desired.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are respectively, plan views of the left front andright front side of a preferred embodiment with the right side armfolded over the left side arm. FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show the embodiment of(FIGS. 2 a and 2 b) inverted and flipped to present the back left andright sides of the embodiment. The dashed lines represent magneticmembers which are inset in and flush with the flexible strip.

FIGS. 4 and 5 depict respectively, right corner view wherein stop 18 bhas been raised via sliding hinge pin 22 b, and a left corner viewwherein stop 18 a has been lowered into place between the hinged membersin order to maintain an extended position for the arms relative to thestrip. For smooth operation, the hinge pins reside inside and turnwithin a rigid sleeve (not shown) which may be plastic or metal, aroundwhich the knuckles of the hinge move. Preferably, the angle between thestrip and the arms is at, or slightly greater than 90 degrees when thearms are fully extended.

Moving to FIGS. 6-8 with reference again to FIGS. 4-5, a preferredembodiment is shown affixed to the front of a washer or dryer just belowthe appliance door (not shown). In FIG. 6, stop 18 a is raised in orderto free arm 16 a and permit it to be swung away from strip 14 (see FIG.7). FIG. 8 shows stop 18 a rotated inwardly and lowered into placebetween arm 16 a and strip 14 to lock the arm in position.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view showing a mesh cover 12 for placementover arms 16 a, 16 b wherein each arm in slipped into sewn channels asindicated by the directional arrows.

FIGS. 10 and 11 depict respectively, a preferred embodiment affixed tothe front of a washer or dryer, and the removal of the embodiment fromthe appliance surface. Note the flexibility of strip 14. Preferably, theattachment means are inset magnetic members which are flush with therear side of the strip that contacts the appliance surface providingsufficient adherence—yet permitting a user to readily remove theapparatus framework when desired. Adhesive means such as double sticktape can be used in cases where the appliance cabinet is non-magnetic.

It should be understood that the drawings and detailed descriptionherein are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictivemanner, and are not intended to be limiting to the particular forms andexamples disclosed. Accordingly, it is intended that this disclosureencompass any further modifications, changes, rearrangements,substitutions, alternatives, design choices, and embodiments as would beappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of thisdisclosure, and falling within the spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus to prevent small launderablearticles from dropping to the floor when transferring the articles froma washer to a dryer or removing the articles from the dryer, and for thetemporary support of the articles comprising: (1) a framework includinga conformable flexible strip for attachment to a curved or flat surfacewhich follows the contour of the surface when removably attached theretoand wherein pivotable arms are coupled to the strip, (2) magnetic oradhesive means for attaching the flexible strip, and, (3) a soft meshcover defining an article support surface placed over the arms.
 2. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the mesh cover is removable. 3.The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the arms are at leastsecurable in an extended position.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the arms are securable in a collapsed position.